Tevez at the double as Mancini's City win again

WOLVERHAMPTON: Carlos Tevez scored twice as Manchester City made it two wins out of two under new manager Roberto Mancini with a classy 3-0 Premier League victory away to Wolves here on Monday.

Argentina striker Tevez finished a neat move in the 33rd minute before Spain midfielder Javier Garrido caught Wolves cold on a freezing night at Molineux with a brilliant free-kick in the 69th minute.

Former Manchester United forward Tevez rounded things off four minutes from time with a well-taken second goal as City, often criticised for defensive lapses, recorded a second straight clean sheet under their Italian boss.

Craig Bellamy could have put the visitors in front early on, the Wales striker blazing over the crossbar from close range but he turned provider to set up Tevez's opener.

Victory saw City move level on points with fifth-placed Aston Villa, who will go fourth if they beat Liverpool on Tuesday.

Chris Iwelumo and Kevin Doyle almost got Wolves on the scoresheet before Garrido's free-kick gave City breathing space.

Seconds after he should have opened the scoring himself, the hard-working Bellamy sprinted past Jody Craddock before crossing to Tevez, who scored his seventh goal in seven games with the aid of a deflection off Christophe Berra that wrongfooted American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.

Both teams might then have scored, with City goalkeeper Shay Given saving with his legs to deny Doyle.

Former Inter Milan boss Mancini then saw his side double their lead in controversial circumstances.

Bellamy was in an offside position but, as the ball did not reach the forward, play was allowed to continue by the officials and in the ensuing attack City's Gareth Barry was fouled by Michael Mancienne.

As furious Wolves manager Mick McCarthy watched from the sidelines, Garrido's curling, low, free-kick took the hosts' defensive wall out of the equation and reduced Hahnemann to the status of a spectator.

Robinho, on as a substitute, then teed up Tevez to set the seal on an impressive win.